Modern Day Animal - The Canada goose (Branta canadensis)
As the name suggests, the Canada goose is native to Canada and other temperate regions in North America. It can be found in certain countries of Europe as well.
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Aves
Order:
Anseriformes
Family:
Anatidae
Genus:
Branta
Species:
B.canadensis
<-- The Canada goose
Canada Goose distribution, including native (dark tones) and introduced (light tones) populations
Canada Goose summer: yellow
Canada Goose all year: green
Canada Goose winter: blue
Its adaptations for its habitat
Firstly, the Canada goose's breeding habitat is usually near water, and they make their nests on raised areas over rivers or lakes. The nests are usually a shallow depression with layers of plant material and down feathers so as to preserve the heat for the eggs. In recent times, the population of this goose has grown exponentially as there are no natural predators to reduce their numbers. As they breed continuously, they get into contact with humans and, as a result, are now considered as a nuisance to the public due to the noise pollution from them and their aggressive behaviour.
<-- A typical Goose nest
Canada Goose Photo
^^^ The Canada goose in its natural habitat
Seeing that the Canada goose is a type of waterfowl, there are many adaptations it has in order for it to survive in its habitat.
Structural adaptations
It has webbed feet for swimming.
It has oil coated feathers so that it will not get wet when swimming.
It has down feathers to protect it from the cold.
Geese have good eyesight for flight and spotting danger from a distance.
Behavioral adaptations
When the geese feel that they or their goslings (young geese) are under imminent threat, the goose will stand upright and spread its wings. It will make a hissing sound next and if the threat is still present, it will charge at the target and will, more often than not, bite.
The geese fly in a V-shaped formation so as to minimise wind drag on each bird, and so they can fly further distances.
During the warmer seasons, the geese press their feathers against their body to reduce spaces for air to fill and maintain a cool body temperature. During the cool seasons they puff their feathers to insulate better.
Physiological adaptations
The geese have a mechanism in their bodies which creates the hormone T4 during long-distance flight. T4 is a stress hormone and it helps the geese cope with stress during the flight and so they can travel further distances.
What did it evolve from?
During exstensive research it appears that the more recent ancestors of the Canada goose have not been extinct and so i cannot put it on the wiki.
However, it is a known fact that birds are the descendants of dinosaurs. One particular dinosaur shares a similar habitat to the Canada goose and all waterfowl, the Baryonyx.
Modern Day Animal - The Canada goose (Branta canadensis)
As the name suggests, the Canada goose is native to Canada and other temperate regions in North America. It can be found in certain countries of Europe as well.Canada Goose distribution, including native (dark tones) and introduced (light tones) populations
Canada Goose summer: yellow
Canada Goose all year: green
Canada Goose winter: blue
Its adaptations for its habitat
Firstly, the Canada goose's breeding habitat is usually near water, and they make their nests on raised areas over rivers or lakes. The nests are usually a shallow depression with layers of plant material and down feathers so as to preserve the heat for the eggs. In recent times, the population of this goose has grown exponentially as there are no natural predators to reduce their numbers. As they breed continuously, they get into contact with humans and, as a result, are now considered as a nuisance to the public due to the noise pollution from them and their aggressive behaviour.
Seeing that the Canada goose is a type of waterfowl, there are many adaptations it has in order for it to survive in its habitat.
Structural adaptations
Behavioral adaptations
Physiological adaptations
What did it evolve from?
During exstensive research it appears that the more recent ancestors of the Canada goose have not been extinct and so i cannot put it on the wiki.
However, it is a known fact that birds are the descendants of dinosaurs. One particular dinosaur shares a similar habitat to the Canada goose and all waterfowl, the Baryonyx.